How to live like an Italian in Shanghai
Italy, how we love you so. You have transformed our lives with the negroni, the Vespa, gelato, olive oil, tiramisu, pizza and countless other cultural contributions. For many of us who cannot afford a trip back to Italy but need a gastronomic getaway, here is the guide to where the Italians go when they are out and about in Shanghai.
Ambra Schilliró
Founder, Social Cloud
From: Sicily
Where do you go to lunch?
Bar Centrale
Address: 135 Yanping Lu, 1/F, near Wuding Lu
Tel: 021 6205 1068
Hours: Daily, 7:00am - 12:00am
It is close to my office that has real Italian food
Where do you go for dinner?
Goodfellas
Address: 7 Yan'An Dong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Er Lu
Tel: 021 6323 2188
Hours: Monday to Friday, 5:30pm to 11:30pm; Sat & Sun, 11:30am to 2:30pm
For dinner, Italian style there is no doubt I would choose Goodfellas. Of course I need to book in advance because it’s really complicated to find a spot if you don’t book at least a day in advance.
Where do you go for drinks?
Funkadeli
Address: 291 Fumin Lu, Wujin Century Building, near Changle Lu
Tel: 021-61701318
Hours: Daily, 11am to 2am
5 years ago I would have to tell you Da Marco, now there are a lot of places where people can find a good, real Italian drink so I would say Funkadeli
Any place that reminds you of Italy?
Va Bene
Address: Lane 181, Taicang Lu, Xintiandi, Bldg 7, 2/F
Tel: 021 6311 2211
Hours: Daily, 11:30am to midnight
The place that reminds me of Italy is definitely Va Bene on Sunday. You can feel the Italian vibe of the restaurant from miles, from the food of chef Natalino but also for the music and the video by DJ Max.
Where do you shop in Shanghai that has all the foods that makes you feel like you are back in Italy?
Like every expat in China, I bring a lot of my food directly from my hometown when I travel. In China you find the same products everywhere. Sometimes Taobao shops have some good imported food impossible to find in physical shops or from Avocado Lady. If I have to choose a physical shop I would say Feidan. The owner is Italian and they have a lot of Italian products.
Jay
Co-founder, joyEAT
From: Milan
Where do you go to lunch?
Banco
Address: 168 Hubing Lu, Qiyetiandi, 2/F, Room W0405, near Taicang Lu
Tel: 021 5352 1975
Hours: Daily, 10am to 10pm
A really nice, newly opened Italian bistro in XTD. I appreciated their paccheri alla sorrentina which was really good and al dente. The burratina was good and fresh (fairly close to what you can find in Italy). The insalatona (salad) was flavorful with rare mozzarella bocconcinis and acciughe sotto olio (sardine).
The restaurant manager, a Chinese lady who speaks Italian was really gentle and nice. So for me it's really nice for a quick lunch.
Where do you go to dinner?
Bella Napoli
Address: Lane 946, Changle Lu, near Wulumuqi Bei Lu
Tel: 021 6248 8985
Hours: Daily, 11:30am -2:30pm; 5:30pm to 11pm
Bella Napoli it's one of the classic spots for pizza. Since I've lived for several years in naples (where pizza comes from), I'm quite severe about it. But the pizza that I found in Bella napoli it was good quality and really close to Italian (or I should say "napolitan") standards because they use a wood oven which is one of the secrets to having a perfect pizza!
Where do you go for drinks?
Mandi Mandi
Address: 173 Fumin Lu, near Julu Lu
Tel: 021 5403 3918
Hours: Daily, 10:30am to 11:30pm
Mandi Mandi is always packed with Italians. The place isn’t huge but the vibe is so nice, and when the only language you can hear around is Italian, you kinda feel you're at home.
Where do you shop in Shanghai that has all the foods that makes you feel like you are back in Italy?
City Super and online groceries
Annalisa
EMW
From: Fondi
Where do you go to lunch?
Gemma
Address: 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu
Tel: 021 3356 5118
Hours: Daily, 12pm to 1am
It is nice and easy. Convenient to go and the design of the place is pleasing to the eye.
Where do you go to dinner?
8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Address: 169 Yuanmingyuan Lu, 6-7 Floor, near Beijing Dong Lu
Tel: 021 6087 2890
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 5pm to 1am; Sunday 11:30am to 3pm
The food is incredible especially their ravioli, risotto and Milanese.
Other favorites also include Capo, Atto Primo, Va Benne.
Capo
Address: 99 Beijing Dong Road
Tel: 021-53088332
Hours: 5:30pm - 2am
Atto Primo
Address: 5 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, 5 on the Bund, 2/F, near Guangdong Lu
Tel: 021 6328 0271
Hours: Sun to Thurs, 11:30am to 11pm; Fri & Sat: 11:30am to 1am
Where do you go for drinks?
Funkadeli, Bar Centrale, Mandi Mandi
Any place that reminds you of Italy?
Yongkang Lu used to be the only place in Shanghai in which you could feel like in Europe
Where do you shop in Shanghai that has all the foods that makes you feel like you are back in Italy?
City Shop, Fresh Mart, City Super all have very good products, or online at Fields China, Epermarket or Daily Needs
Davide
Marketing Manager, Hollywood
From: Bologne
Where do you go to lunch?
Bar Centrale has amazing pizza and on Sundays they have a special deal
Where do you go for dinner?
Da Marco
Address: 875 Biyun Road
Tel: 021-58608170
Hours: 12pm-11pm
Da Marco is amazing for appetizers and main dishes. The fish is also very good.
Others favorites are Bella Napoli because they have amazing pizza and fish; Mammamia has the best pizza in Shanghai.
Mammamia
Address: 1333 Huaihai Zhong Lu, 2/F
Tel: 021 5081 0966
Hours: Daily, 11:30am to 2:30pm; Sun to Wed, 5:30pm to 11pm; Thurs to Sat, 5:30pm to midnight
Where do you go for drinks?
Funkadeli is a nice place for a cocktail, and if you are hungry they also have food to select from including the Italian sandwich with ham.
Any place that reminds you of Italy?
Bella Napoli has a real Italian atmosphere and style. Not to mention, the owner is Italian as well.
Where do you shop in Shanghai that has all the foods that makes you feel like you are back in Italy?
There are a lot of shops in Jing’an that allows Italians to find our products like Casa Mart, Ole Supermarkets, Fresh mart, Citysuper, Carrefour.
Edo
Fabbri, Marketing Manager
From: Perugia
Where do you go for Italian style breakfast?
My home. My breakfast menu has been rated with 5 stars by my wife and my daughter ;)
Where do you go for Italian style dinner?
Seve
Address: 600 Huashan Road
Tel: 021-62493638
Hours: 5:30-11pm
I'm affectionate to Seve and Bella Napoli. They represent 2 kinds of real Italian pizzas that I love most: thin and crispy the first, thicker the second. Now we have also a real Italian gelato shop in Shanghai (in Madan Road, Xintiandi) it is called Signor. I often go there strolling and enjoy a great artisanal gelato made by Diego.
Signor
Address: 119 Madang Lu
Where do most Italian community go for drinks?
Surely Funkadeli. I love their Spriz, their Negroni and a good chat with Enrico, Fabio and Liz.
Any place in Shanghai that reminds you of Italy?
Mercato
Address: 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Three on The Bund, 6/F, near Guangdong Lu
Tel: 021 6321 9922
Hours: Daily 5:30pm to 11pm
The vibe of Mercato and the environment of Green and Safe in Xintiandi.
Where do you shop in Shanghai that has all the foods that makes you feel like you are back in Italy?
Jiu Guang in Jing An has so far the best assortment of my favorite Italian brands. Also FeiDan in Anfu road is not bad. Still in Shanghai I cannot find any supermarket that makes me feel like in Italy :(
Michele Muraro
Amore Wine, “The Wine Guy”
From: Verona
Where do you go to lunch?
Palatino Roman Cuisine
Address: Lane 434, Changle Lu, No 7, 1-3/F
Tel: 021 6217 0933
Hours: Daily, 11am to 11:30pm
They serve the best pasta dishes in Shanghai
Where do you go for dinner?
Va Bene. Italian Chef, Italian manager, in a prime location.
Food is very good, atmosphere is elegant and casual at the same time, you can go there for a date, for a friendly dinner or with your important business partner.
Where do you go for drinks?
Funkadelino
Address: 356 Xikang Lu
Tel: 021 3206 0097
Hours: Daily, 11am to 1am
This is the place where the Spritz mania of Shanghai came to life. But, before Funkadelino became a bar, it used to be a deli shop where you can order a freshly made Panini take away, like a real Italian grocery shop from the countryside. But fret not, you can still enjoy Italian bites here.
Any place that reminds you of Italy?
Salute
Address: 59 Fuxing Xi Lu
Tel: 021 3461 9828
Hours: Daily, 5pm to 2am
It is the perfect picture of an Italian courtyard corner.
Where do you go shop for Italian food?
Epermarket
Since there is no more direct relationship with your trusted “bottegaio”, a person who you’d know since you were a kid and he knows you, your parents, grandparents, cousins, neighbors, everything of your house, and lets you taste in advance the freshly arrived ham, before cutting it for you.
All I can do is stay home and shop from the couch.
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